Tom Felton getting stick. Is this really the world we live in now?

Quite often when Gaiman was being criticised on eg Reddit someone would bring up JKR as an example of how if it’s ok to still like Harry Potter it’s ok to still enjoy Gaiman’s work. The two “bad things” are not in any way the same!

@User012389 agreed. The trans debate has become beyond ridiculous, polarised and toxic beyond belief. No one is allowed to see both sides of the argument or have sympathy for both trans people and women. You just get destroyed by one side (usually the TRAs) and labelled a bigot and a transphobe. It makes me sick. It’s very sad that this is the world our children are growing up in. Tom Felton and other people in the public eye are completely entitled to choose what they want to express opinions on and not. I can’t believe he’s getting torn down for choosing not to express his opinions, not even for having the “wrong” opinion. He never volunteered to be a TRs spokesperson! TRAs are not far off Nazis imo….and I’m someone with fairly balanced views, who can see both sides of the argument. Children are starving to death in Palestine ffs and people are dedicating their entire lives to trying to ensure trans women are allowed in women’s toilets!!

Yes, it’s quite telling how little condemnation there is for Gaiman in those circles. Everyone’s pretending not to talk about him or avoiding the subject of him very nicely indeed, and there certainly isn’t any of this incessant frothing rhetoric about how dreadful he is, like there is about Rowling just for stating a commonsense, middle ground opinion!

Tom Felton was very careful what he said, that it didn't really affect him and that he was entirely grateful for JKR's work which had made his career. That so mild support is castigated with vitriol is very, very worrying.
JKR supports women's rights. She cannot be cancelled because she is mega-rich and really doesn't care what the TRAs say but other people are not so lucky and thus this attack on Felton is frightening. We haven't even nearly got there yet!
And well done Felton for supporting JKR and not giving in to those who think she should be burned in flames.😃Or to those who might like to ruin his career - that's very brave!

Felton's answer was a masterclass in neutrality. However as others have said, unless you completely prostrate yourself at the trans alter, NOTHING is ever going to be good enough. Remember the troons are bullying a tiny rabbit rescue charity.

Quite.

It's really ridiculous. One of mine is reading the series now and I've had a few shifty responses - everyone is all good with any number of problematic male artists and writers, but JKR is vilified for standing up for women's rights.

I also must have missed the announcement where MNHQ appointed that poster as the thread police. I've seen them doing it on loads of threads recently

Poor chap was only being normal, and sticking to acting.🤷‍♀️

Nothing would ever get done if you have to take a political stance, or argue about it, to do any work.

I sometimes wonder if every celebrity from Rupert Grint to Greta Thunberg is contacted by TRAs requesting their support?

Good on Him
I like John Lithgow (not so much Harry Potter though, Sorry), especially as the Trinity Killer in Dexter .

Tom Felton would be very aware of the likelihood of the criticism he would receive - regardless of how nicely he phrases his media comments.
Well done to him and all the other actors and creatives who are willing to be professional and do their jobs in the face of relentless bullying.

Link to thread about the bunny sanctuary purity spiral https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5346978-rabbit-rescue-targeted-by-tras?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

They've played a blinder - "We're just here for the rabbits" and repeat on a loop to the nutters.

Even better, they've ended up with more followers and a hell of a lot of donations out of it so the Barbara Streisand Effect is still in full effect!

It does give an insight into perhaps why some of the others felt pressured into slating Rowling and being so vocally and simplistically pro-trans.
I don't think it excuses them, to be clear.

All quite reasonable, IMO. But to the TRA mob this is heresy - toe the line or we'll burn the witch!

John Lithgow also spoke about how he got stick for saying yes to Dumbledore.

I was going to say this! The bunny rescue is doing a marvellous job of saying no actually we don't have to post what you think we should.

I love the sentiment but can I just say it's biologically observed sex not assigned. Assigned sex is part of the imaginary genderwoo.

It's the whole "purity of thought" thing. There are a set of "correct" views according to a sub-section of the left (I say this as someone who is fairly lefty) and woe betide anyone who has a different opinion or has any sense of nuance.

As @bellinisurge, last week it was a bunny sanctuary they went after (sanctuary had a policy of following back anyone who followed them on TwiX, one such account was unsavoury but the TRAs tried to make the sanctuary state that they held certain views. When they refused the mob went after them). Like all those of a dictatorial mindset, they are as unpleasant as they are intolerant. Which is ironic as the people involved in these pile-ons would pride themselves on their tolerance, inclusivity and progressiveness

Reckon his theatre run will sell out. Wouldn't be surprised if he nabs a guest role in the TV show later on.

Aye, they're a septic and deranged little bunch, bless em.